May 2002; Bidding Contest Problem 6
 
Problem #:   6;   Scoring:   IMPs;   Vul:   None;   Dealer:   East
   
543
J43
AK6
AJ87
NorthEastSouthWest
    PassPass
12DblPass
?

Drew Cannell
I really believe that 2NT is the right bid, and should be done quickly, and with a straight face. Seriously, all three-level bids in those suits make me ill. The downside is that we may arrive in notrump without a spade stopper. They haven't led a spade yet. Though, we will have to take our tricks quickly in that case. Passing, and hoping partner can contribute three more defensive tricks is too much. However, the panel disagree with me, and more than half bid that revolting three-card heart-suit. Are they able to defend the bid?

Panel
Votes		CallPoints
53100
32NT90
1330

Bird: 3. Partner has forced the bidding this high, not me. He is more likely to hold five hearts than five diamonds. Let's hope so, anyway.

Aviram: 3. Even a 1 overcall would have created the problem. 3 risks a seven-card fit, but any other bid risks an even worst fit. Can't bid 2NT with three small. Better chance to find partner with five hearts than with two spade stoppers. (1NT might be the least of evils over a 1 overcall).

Wildavsky: 3. The least of evils. A good advertisement for weak notrumps!

Cheek: 3. The only strain in which I'm guaranteed to have more trumps than they do.

It sounds a lot like they are grasping at straws, and hoping to land on their feet. Each and every one of them would have bid 2NT with Qx of spades - why is this any different? You even have a third spade! No raise by the opponents - they haven't even led spades yet against notrump. So, why not bid ....

Lawrence: 2NT. Disgusting but preferable to other bids. Which would you rather hear happen? (1) You bid two notrump and partner raises to three. (2) You pass and watch them make an overtrick? (3) You bid three hearts and partner raises to four. RHO doubles.

Agree totally.

Wirgren: 2NT. All my life, I have rebid in notrump with a balanced hand instead of bidding a three-card suit, even without a stopper in their suit. Showing the general nature of my hand is the most important issue.

Absolutely.

Smith: 2NT. Helgemo smoked me with this bid. I'm looking for payback.

I want to give this bid 100, but since the panel voted five to three for 3, I bow to their will. Grudgingly.

Is there a third possibility?

Herbst: 3. What can I do ? I have nothing to bid, and cannot leave it in. Bidding one of the red suits, or NT look equally wrong. At least after 3 partner may be able to bid 3/ if he is long (or leave 3 if he has balanced hand).

Not this. Some talk of least-of-evils bid, etc. In my view that is clearly 2NT, not 3.

Problems 1, 3, 4 & 5 had huge majorities with single mavericks. For consistency, and David Bird's request (besides - David bid 3H on four of six problems), I awarded these minority opinions 30 marks. Congratulations to Adam Wildavsky on his perfect score. If the last problem reversed the 2NT/3 marks, Anders Wirgren and Adam would have swapped positions.

 

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